I'm brand new to Ganoksin. I'm a an art student studyingmetalsmithing at a university and am preparing to attend Tucson forthe first time. I hope to qualify for entrance into the GJX and AGTAwholesale shows. (I have a tax i.d. #) Assuming I get in, myquestion is this: Will dealers accept Visa or cash only or both? Arethe prices better if you have cash vs. credit?

Another concern (even though it may seem petty.) Will I be treatedmore professionally if I am dressed in "business casual" attire whendealing with high-end gem dealers? Or is it "anything goes" in termsof dress code? I want to establish business relationships withspecific dealers and want to be treated well, even though I am anindividual designer new to the industry and not a huge company.

Any advice on how to transport purchases from show to show, not onlyfor safety but convenience as well? (i.e. pilot's bag, messengerbag, gem storage containers)

And lastly, I only have three days to attend. GJX and AGTA are mypriorities for Day 1 and Day 2. What should be the show not to missfor Day 3?

I wish I could take Karen Christians "Taste of Tucson" class butalas, I am arriving the day it is being offered.

I am intimidated at the prospect of attending these shows soinexperienced and can obviously use advice from seasoned showattendees.

Have business cards with you. A must, along w/ your seller's permit(bring extra copies).

After you register at the first show you attend, pick up thecomplimentary Tucson Show Guide, which is available at all of thevenues. Just ask a security person if you don't see it.

The listings in the Show Guide are enormous. You can accomplish alot and won't waste as much time if you map out your strategy. So sitdown w/ the Guide, look in the back section where products are listedalphabetically. Mark the booths at corresponding shows (toward thefront all are listed by page no.) and hit the bricks.

Dress business casual at all venues; wear comfortable shoes; use aback pack or over-the-shoulder bag that will hold your heavy ShowGuide and all of your purchases. Credit cards and cash, even checksare good. Not much wheelin' and dealin' at Tucson. The vendors haveto make their cost of booth (expensive), travel (expensive), lodging(very expensive), and meals. I do occasionally ask, "Respectfully, isthis a firm price?" Of course, w/ your seller's permit (which theymay want to see, even though you have registered) you will not paytax on goods; tools, yes, but gems, etc. no. Ask for business cards;write on the card what you found there, the date and location (fornext year's reference). Make sure all receipts have all the info youneed and keep in plastic bag w/ your purchase. I bring extra littleplastic baggies and small permanent markers.

As for more shows to see, don't miss the Idar-Oberstein group at theHotel Arizona right downtown w/in walking distance of AGTA and GJX.You will need to register at the hotel venue (has been in the back ofthe hotel in the past years). There is a German group not to miss atthe Starr Pass (GLDA), also. Shuttle for Starr Pass is downtown at aMexican restaurant right near the Convention Center.

Try to get down to the Holidome at the Holiday Inn (down toward theairport).

Those are the venues I wouldn't miss if you can only be there 3 daysand are looking for gems, etc.

Hi all, even the biggest gem dealers who are doing the buying mostlywear comfy clothing and shoes, quality but dressy casual is allthat's needed, and at the end of the day the seller will soon takeyou seriously on how you do business not on how you are dressed.Money and sales speak volumes.

The sellers will soon work out if you are serious or a tyre kickerand a time waster.

At the shows wholesalers simply don't have the time to educate youso please remember this when you are making contact with potentialsuppliers. Make contact with them and take their card and leave yourswith them with a few details that may help id you when the suppliergets home.

Do follow up on suppliers that you don't get time to deal with andmention the fact that you seen their products at Tucson. Tucson is ahuge show and tell and most dealers will do the show at Tucson justto keep in touch with a lot of their clients and pick up sales duringthe year from contacts made there.

I hope you have a ball but too be honest 3 days is no time at all toeven get your bearings at Tucson but non the less you should seeenough for you to plan your next trip better.

You may not be able to get admittance to AGTA with just a tax idnumber. Try contacting AGTA to register ahead of time. They often askfor invoices from known jewelry suppliers in addition to yourbusiness license to prove you are a legitimate jewelry business.

GJX is less stringent in there requirements for admittance. Businesscasual is the overall dress at Tucson. Cash or checks are good,charge cards cost the vendor a percentage of the sale and they willpass that on to you. Carry your purchases in a handbag or ladiesbrief case, anything larger like a messenger bag will attractattention.

What not to miss depends on what your looking for. Rio Grande"catalog in motion" is always good to attend.

These are wise words indeed. Don't try to see the entire show in ashort time, but rather concentrate on a few specific venues gearedtowards your interest.

Wear very comfortable shoes, bring water and some snacks likecarrots. Do your munching and drinking away from the booths. Bring aloupe to wear around your neck. Some stones are hard to see. Takebusiness cards and bring a pen or pencil. Write down what you likedon the back so you will remember the suppliers.

Money talks, cash is better than Visa. Checks work well.

If you are buying opals for example and end up at GJX, circulate toevery opal dealer without looking at anything else. It's hard not tolook at the dizzying eye candy of stuff.

The first few years I attended Tucson, I came home with stones thatare still sitting in my box waiting for completion. That was in 1998!

The most important aspect of the Tucson Gem Show? Have fun! I stillhaven't seen half the show, but plan to see Rodeway and visit MikeMcKinnon, the Holiday Inn and some of the bead pavallions.